Deadly typhoon kills over 130 in Philippines

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - More than 130 people have been killed as tropical storm Vinta, also known as Tembin, caused massive landslides and flash floods in various parts of southern Philippines, local officials said Saturday.

Vinta struck Davao Oriental province early Friday morning, bringing with it heavy rains across the Mindanao islands.

The Lanao del Norte province reported at least 62 deaths, followed by Zamboanga del Norte which reported at least 47 deaths, local officials confirmed to various local media outlets.

Other affected provinces, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Iligan and Davao, reported 29 a total of fatalities.

Emergency officials fear the death toll may rise as rescue workers have not been able to access some areas.

Dozens are being treated for injuries, officials said.

The heavy downpour has caused the rivers to suddenly swell resulting in flash floods.

After leaving a trail of devastation in the southern part of the country, as of Saturday afternoon, the typhoon is moving towards the central province of Palawan and is expected to exit the country on Sunday, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Just last week, central Philippines was hit by tropical storm Urduja which claimed at least 40 lives and destroyed an estimated 1 billion Philipine peso ($19.95 million) worth of agriculture and infrastructure.

The Philippines suffers nearly 20 typhoons and storms each year, many of them deadly.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan -- one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded -- struck the country's central islands, leaving more than 8,000 people dead, missing and injured.